Investing in football only way up

Globally, the football industry does not operate in isolation. It needs reliable and functioning infrastructure, major financial investment, high levels of integrity and a strong commitment to cultivating new players and fans.

These are essential for long-term success of any football ecosystem.

We lamented Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe when he invested heavily in the team, from infrastructure, structure and an overhaul of the entire team that elevated the club’s success and dominance in the African continent.

Look at European football clubs that collectively raise billions selling television rights to broadcasters, signing sponsorship deals and selling merchandise.

They then use a portion of this income to scout for and sign up talented players and develop the next generation of top-level players.

However, our own Morocco has invested heavily for more than 15 years in an initiative led by its ruler committed to sports and youth development, and such investment has ensured that national football professionals have all the conditions for success.

What Morocco has done behind the scenes should be emulated across the continent to take African football to a new level.

They became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals in the past World Cup, proof that the continent cultivates worldclass talent.

However, by building suitable capacity and improving the quality of professionals managing the sport, right from grassroots level, Africa will also mitigate corruption and mismanagement, which is severely hindering football development in the region.

We can all agree that linking footballing success with wider economic progress can help to promote social cohesion and reduce inequality, and by investing in football and other sports, governments and communities can bring people together and promote shared values and aspirations.